Natalia Chi
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Congressional leadership announced an agreement on a balanced budget for 2024.
Lawmakers announced the deal ahead of a press conference in Springfield on Wednesday, with Pritzker praising members of the General Assembly for a budget that he claims has been balanced for the fifth year in a row.
“From the beginning, I pledged to work with Congress to restore Illinois’ fiscal health and restore a caring government that invests in building a stronger economy and future,” he said in a statement. . “From funding violence prevention, higher education, kindergarten through high school, and filling teacher vacancies to strengthening workforce development and strengthening behavioral health services, this budget is a historic investment that will continue to grow for years to come. It will benefit the state across the country.”
Republicans in Illinois criticized the budget for being a one-sided deal that put too much emphasis on taxes.
“Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats can twist words to their advantage, but the truth is this budget is a partisan wish list, not a negotiation,” said Republican Chairman Don Tracy. “The Illinois Democrats in full control of the government continue to tax and spend, and Illinois tops every measure of tax burden on its residents, pushing families out year after year.”
